Are wheel spacers safe?
 

Been wondering about wheel spacers, the type where the lug bolts are replaced with longer bolts, has anyone experienced any failures? I love the wider track that they provide but am somewhat concerned about losing a wheel at an awkward moment.

Any thoughts?

If you purchase the longer studs and properly torque your lugs there are no issues with spacers.

They are safe. For example, if you buy 15mm spacers, they are supplied with lugs that are 15mm longer, to allow for proper engagement of the lug nut so that you have enough threads to properly secure them in place. You are safe to do 5 to 25mm spacers. I would be cautious about anything longer than that. In that case, you should make sure the wheels you have/want to buy have the proper offset instead (always more desirable). Using 15mm for the front and 20mm in the rear is a very common configuration among 370Z owners. If you go with lowering and/or more negative camber, you could get away with 20 and 25 mm respectively and still have the tire positioned nicely in relation to the wheel wells. Good luck with your decision. The wider stance does look really good.

That's good to hear, has anyone done track work with this type of spacer?

I have tracked with 15/20mm spacers. No problems.

So if you put 15/20mm spacers what would be the proper/recommended offset to go with?

Sounds better all the time!

Stock Rays:
19x9 +47 front, 19x10 rear

New offsets:
Front: +47mm - 15mm = +32mm
Rear: +30mm - 20mm = +10mm

Personally I would avoid them, because I would rather have wheels with the proper back spacing. But that is not always an option, just for comparisons sake big dual rear wheel diesels come with huge spacers from the factory and they tow thousands of pounds.

There are potential problems that can come along with wheel spacers, twice as many jug nuts to keep properly torqued for example and they can cause increased wear on suspension components (that would be the same though with equivalent wheels) but spacers themselves are not a problem you just need to make sure you check everything periodically.

They are safe for street driving, and I am sure they are safe for track use as well but I personally wouldn't use em if you visit the track often. There are cases where people had trouble with spacers and whether that derived from a stud that wasn't installed correctly or a lug nut that was over-torqued, regardless.... you don't want your wheel to start wobbling on a track. With that said, if you only visit the track once or twice a year, you'll be fine.

Plus remember, when you take out your OEM studs, no matter what studs you replace em with even if its with OEM again, they are never going to sit as firm as they did from factory.

Not if you buy the spacers with extended lugs (e.g. H&R DRS series) that replace the OEM lugs.

Then you have to worry about the fit of the extended lugs.

Realistically, they're fine, and nothing to worry about though.

I used to be worried about them, but honestly what I have been seeing lately is alot of good things. I am amazed someone tracked on them, that should be enough info for you to go out and buy haha.

The extended lugs are the same thickness, have the same threads and do the same job as the OEM lugs. No problems. :tup:

Why wouldn't they "sit as firm as they did from factory"? They are secured in position from tension.

Bottom line, if you are buying new wheels, getting the correct offset (not using spacers) is best since you're paying all that money for nice rims anyways. But if you want to enhance the look of your OEM wheels, spacers are effective. Check out my signature picture with 15/20mm spacers.